Senior Architect

About the role

As a Senior Architect, with both Education Sector and extensive years of post-qualification experience, you will take responsibility for developing and coordinating design proposals across a range of Education projects from early feasibility and briefing through to technical design and construction. You will balance design quality, functionality, sustainability, compliance and buildability, ensuring projects respond effectively to the brief.

You will lead and contribute to design reviews, stakeholder workshops, accommodation analysis, option development and planning submissions, while coordinating architectural information with the wider multidisciplinary team. Ideally, you will have experience of CF21, CF25, School Rebuilding Programme, PSBP, BSF or similar education frameworks.

You will also contribute to the continued development of BDP’s Education Sector expertise, market position and project-winning capability.

This is an important role within our growing portfolio of school and education projects, offering excellent opportunities for professional development and progression towards Associate level.

About us

BDP is a leading, global, multidisciplinary design practice united by a shared purpose: to design a world that’s built for good. For more than 60 years, we've been solving problems, creating innovative spaces, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From the start, we've been pioneers in the world of design, and our legacy is built on the meaningful, people-centred places we've brought to life.

We are a diverse, international practice of architects, engineers, designers, and urbanists. We work closely with our clients, users, and communities to craft spaces for living, working, learning, and enjoying life across the globe. With studios spanning the UK, Ireland, Europe, Asia, and North America, our reach is as broad as our expertise. And since joining forces with Japan’s Nippon Koei in 2016, our ability to deliver integrated, impactful design has only grown stronger.

Our work is rooted in creativity, quality, and collaboration. We believe that great design removes barriers and opens new possibilities, all while meeting the demands of a constantly evolving world. Whether we’re designing homes, workplaces, or public spaces, we always put people at the heart of our thinking, ensuring that the environments we create are not just functional, but also inclusive, beautiful, and socially and environmentally responsible.

Key responsibilities

•            Lead and support school projects through feasibility, concept, developed and technical design stages.

•            Develop and communicate design proposals that respond to the brief, DfE requirements and programme

•            Prepare and coordinate drawings, layouts, schedules, reports and technical information.

•            Lead and participate in design reviews, workshops and stakeholder engagement, working effectively with clients, contractors, school users, DfE representatives and consultants.

•            Support the delivery of robust, compliant and buildable design solutions, identifying and resolving design and technical issues at an early stage.

•            Support leadership through effective coordination of team resources, programme and deliverables.

•            Mentor and support junior members of the team, sharing technical and project knowledge and contributing to their professional development.

•            Provide direction and support to less experienced team members.

•            Enjoys collaborative working with clients and wider team

•            Confidence in Revit and BIM workflows, strong technical knowledge and the ability to manage and communicate design information clearly and efficiently.

•            Enjoys wider contribution to studio culture beyond project work

BDP offers

In return, BDP can offer you a wide range of learning opportunities to encourage personal and professional career development along with a supportive environment in which you can develop your skills, broaden your experience and build a rewarding career. From sponsorship to profession led CPD events, we also offer annual appraisals and a mentoring scheme that is supported by our internal online learning platform.

We are committed to being an employer of choice and offer a competitive remuneration and benefits package that includes an employee profit share scheme, tax efficient smart benefits, private medical insurance, life insurance, long term sickness insurance, interest free season ticket loans, health screening, opportunity to buy/swap holidays and enhanced maternity and paternity provision, plus many more.

We offer regular international, and studio based social, sporting and charitable events. Some recent events include month-end socials, a hiking club, wellbeing webinars and toolbox talks. Our variety of employee forums gives everyone the platform to have a voice and be heard which drives cultural changes and helps to create an engaged, inclusive organisation.

To find out on more detail about what BDP can offer you, please visit: https://www.bdp.com/en/careers-at-bdp/why-join-bdp/.

To apply

To apply please click on the ‘Apply’ button below. You will then need to complete the online application form and attach a CV and cover letter (<400 words) clearly outlining your experience on DfE schools and education projects.

BDP is actively fostering an inclusive organisation where people can be themselves and everyone has a sense of belonging. We want our teams to be diverse at every level, reflecting the communities we design for. As designers, we will create spaces for all that promote equity, wellbeing and participation within the built environment. We actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds with different skills, professional and life experiences, to join us and help us to achieve our aspirations. We also welcome applications from candidates who wish to work flexibly. BDP also operates a hybrid working policy which is usually three days in the office and two days working from home.

No agency or third-party applications please.